Report from our 55year old Pro in Spain

Another update of Martin Rutherford's 2008 season in Murcia, Spain.
After a 3 week rest at the end of June ( it gets a bit hot to race then - what a shame! - Ed) , the races in the area re-started end of July for me with a 70k circuit race in Almoradi (Alicante region). 95 riders on a 4k per lap. Started off very fast – one long line for 3 laps, unable to move up, just hanging on to the wheel in front, small groups of 4-5 riders trying to get away but coming back with the constant pressure of the peleton. Three laps to go, group of 5 are away with one of my team-mates in it, the rest of our team are on the front of the bunch to slow things down (only problem is our man in the break is no sprinter). Final lap and as predicted our man is 5th. I come in at front end of the peleton (32nd). Our team are all in the prizes, our man in the break collapsed at the finish and taken to the local hospital, the reason for this as I forgot to mention was the race started at 6pm and the temperature was 38!!!

August….Monday, normally a holiday time for Spain but there are plenty of races but quite a bit of travelling. The temperatures are up to 40+ and next race is Callosa de Seguro (Alicante region again). Big race this, as there are a lot of big teams from all over the South East including World Masters Champion and Graham Baxter back from his Tour de France trips….he said he wanted to win today as he has a bit of rivalry with the World Champion. Big field, 138 riders, 6k circuit, 85k. This is the first time in a race this year I have taken 2 bottles, because I have no team help on the side of the road this week, but I do have a race procedure. Before the races I eat one banana, small cake or bar, small bottle of isostar and half bottle of water. I’m “sloshing” around a bit for a couple of laps but am self sufficient if I have no helper on the road. Race starts at normal race pattern, first 3 laps at 55k per hour, not very eventful until last 5 laps when Baxter and World Champ and 10 others get away to fight out the finish. World Champ wins, Baxter 9th, me in bunch 40th. No prize this time for any of our team.

The following Wednesday the team move north to Alforrasi (Valencia region). The circuit is 8k round but so hard it’s a cross between Cutmill and Guildford Crit. 80 start, 75k, 38 degrees at 5.30pm. Not a good day for our Team as I puncture after 1 lap (thank god!), 1 rider crashes and the other 2 get blown out the back. 34 finish, Baxter second, World Champ wins again!

Still in August, most of the team have a weeks holiday so Martine and I move west to Roquetas de Mar (Almeria). The plan is to have the race and then spend the afternoon there on the beach and have dinner enroute home. It was a bit of a rush when we arrived as was told it started at 12.00 initially, but at sign on at 11.20 the start is now 11.30 !!! Not many riders today, but it was open to elite riders of Almeria. 42 riders, 85k, 3.5k circuit, 38 degrees at 11.30 – phew. After 2 laps, small group away of 8 riders. The main group is chasing hard and get within 4 seconds but 2 riders from lead group push on. This effort from the front group opens the gap, I try to jump across but don’t have the strength or leg power to close on them. I get to a handful of seconds with 4 other riders and then give it up. The main peleton have a few more attacks but in the end we line up for the sprint, 18th overall, no prize. Great afternoon on the beach and good meal in Mojacar on way home.

Pick up some more kit ready for the heavy programme of races at the end of the year and the following Sunday full squadra out for a crit in San Bartolome (Alicante). 5.30 start, very warm, still 40 degrees at 3pm when the van picks me up. Small twisting circuit this. I quite like it because Spanish riders are not the best on corners, 82 riders, 70k. Race is off like a rocket. One long line but bunching up on the tight corners and stretching out on the straights. Not much happening as riders go out the back every lap. I am suffering so much today that I get dropped with 3 laps to go, with 3 other riders and end up 27th…..LAST OF THE FINISHERS. Some 6 foot, 6inch Dutch rider wins on his own, looks like a 20 year old pro from Rabobank on some stuff, if you get my drift !!!!

All for now, next report end of October.